UPSC Editorials Quiz : 16 January 2025

Introducing QUED – Questions from Editorials (UPSC Editorials Quiz) , an innovative initiative from InsightsIAS. Considering the significant number of questions in previous UPSC Prelims from editorials, practicing MCQs from this perspective can provide an extra edge. While we cover important editorials separately in our Editorial Section and SECURE Initiative, adding QUED (UPSC Editorials Quiz) to your daily MCQ practice alongside Static Quiz, Current Affairs Quiz, and InstaDART can be crucial for better performance. We recommend utilizing this initiative to enhance your preparation, with 5 MCQs posted daily at 11 am from Monday to Saturday on our website under the QUIZ menu.

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• Question 1 of 5 1. Question What is the primary aim of the Neem-Coated Urea scheme? a) To improve nitrogen use efficiency and prevent diversion for non-agricultural uses b) To enhance the sulfur content in soil c) To subsidize the production of organic fertilizers d) To replace urea imports with indigenous production Correct Solution: a) Neem-Coated Urea (NCU) aims primarily to improve nitrogen use efficiency in agricultural practices and prevent the diversion of urea for non-agricultural purposes, such as industrial use. By coating urea with neem oil, the scheme ensures a slower release of nitrogen into the soil, reducing nitrogen losses due to leaching and volatilization. This helps plants absorb nitrogen more effectively, enhancing crop productivity. Furthermore, the neem coating acts as a deterrent for misuse of urea in non-agricultural industries, ensuring that subsidized urea reaches farmers as intended. The scheme indirectly contributes to environmental sustainability by reducing excessive nitrogen use and the associated adverse impacts on soil and water bodies. It does not aim to enhance sulfur content in soil, subsidize organic fertilizers, or focus on replacing imports with indigenous production. Incorrect Solution: a) Neem-Coated Urea (NCU) aims primarily to improve nitrogen use efficiency in agricultural practices and prevent the diversion of urea for non-agricultural purposes, such as industrial use. By coating urea with neem oil, the scheme ensures a slower release of nitrogen into the soil, reducing nitrogen losses due to leaching and volatilization. This helps plants absorb nitrogen more effectively, enhancing crop productivity. Furthermore, the neem coating acts as a deterrent for misuse of urea in non-agricultural industries, ensuring that subsidized urea reaches farmers as intended. The scheme indirectly contributes to environmental sustainability by reducing excessive nitrogen use and the associated adverse impacts on soil and water bodies. It does not aim to enhance sulfur content in soil, subsidize organic fertilizers, or focus on replacing imports with indigenous production.

#### 1. Question

What is the primary aim of the Neem-Coated Urea scheme?

• a) To improve nitrogen use efficiency and prevent diversion for non-agricultural uses

• b) To enhance the sulfur content in soil

• c) To subsidize the production of organic fertilizers

• d) To replace urea imports with indigenous production

Solution: a)

• Neem-Coated Urea (NCU) aims primarily to improve nitrogen use efficiency in agricultural practices and prevent the diversion of urea for non-agricultural purposes, such as industrial use.

• By coating urea with neem oil, the scheme ensures a slower release of nitrogen into the soil, reducing nitrogen losses due to leaching and volatilization. This helps plants absorb nitrogen more effectively, enhancing crop productivity.

• Furthermore, the neem coating acts as a deterrent for misuse of urea in non-agricultural industries, ensuring that subsidized urea reaches farmers as intended.

• The scheme indirectly contributes to environmental sustainability by reducing excessive nitrogen use and the associated adverse impacts on soil and water bodies.

It does not aim to enhance sulfur content in soil, subsidize organic fertilizers, or focus on replacing imports with indigenous production.

Solution: a)

• Neem-Coated Urea (NCU) aims primarily to improve nitrogen use efficiency in agricultural practices and prevent the diversion of urea for non-agricultural purposes, such as industrial use.

• Furthermore, the neem coating acts as a deterrent for misuse of urea in non-agricultural industries, ensuring that subsidized urea reaches farmers as intended.

• The scheme indirectly contributes to environmental sustainability by reducing excessive nitrogen use and the associated adverse impacts on soil and water bodies.

It does not aim to enhance sulfur content in soil, subsidize organic fertilizers, or focus on replacing imports with indigenous production.

• Question 2 of 5 2. Question Which of the following is the largest river draining into the Gulf of Mexico? a) Rio Grande b) Colorado River c) Mississippi River d) Brazos River Correct Solution: c) The Mississippi River is the largest river draining into the Gulf of Mexico, carrying significant sediment and nutrients. Incorrect Solution: c) The Mississippi River is the largest river draining into the Gulf of Mexico, carrying significant sediment and nutrients.

#### 2. Question

Which of the following is the largest river draining into the Gulf of Mexico?

• a) Rio Grande

• b) Colorado River

• c) Mississippi River

• d) Brazos River

Solution: c)

The Mississippi River is the largest river draining into the Gulf of Mexico, carrying significant sediment and nutrients.

Solution: c)

The Mississippi River is the largest river draining into the Gulf of Mexico, carrying significant sediment and nutrients.

• Question 3 of 5 3. Question Consider the following statements about the UN Committee of Experts on Big Data and Data Science for Official Statistics: It aims to replace traditional data collection methods with big data across all domains. It explores the use of data science techniques, such as machine learning, for statistical analysis. It focuses solely on environmental and social statistics, excluding economic indicators. How many of the above statements is/are correct? a) Only one b) Only two c) All three d) None Correct Solution: a) Statement 1 is incorrect because big data is intended to complement traditional data collection methods, offering additional insights and efficiency, rather than fully replacing them across all domains. Traditional methods remain vital, particularly where big data is unavailable or unsuitable. Statement 2 is correct as the committee actively explores modern data science methods, such as machine learning and artificial intelligence, to improve statistical analysis and derive insights from complex datasets. Statement 3 is incorrect because the committee addresses a broad range of statistical areas, including environmental, social, and economic indicators, ensuring comprehensive and accurate reporting for global development and policy planning. Incorrect Solution: a) Statement 1 is incorrect because big data is intended to complement traditional data collection methods, offering additional insights and efficiency, rather than fully replacing them across all domains. Traditional methods remain vital, particularly where big data is unavailable or unsuitable. Statement 2 is correct as the committee actively explores modern data science methods, such as machine learning and artificial intelligence, to improve statistical analysis and derive insights from complex datasets. Statement 3 is incorrect because the committee addresses a broad range of statistical areas, including environmental, social, and economic indicators, ensuring comprehensive and accurate reporting for global development and policy planning.

#### 3. Question

Consider the following statements about the UN Committee of Experts on Big Data and Data Science for Official Statistics:

• It aims to replace traditional data collection methods with big data across all domains.

• It explores the use of data science techniques, such as machine learning, for statistical analysis.

• It focuses solely on environmental and social statistics, excluding economic indicators.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

• a) Only one

• b) Only two

• c) All three

Solution: a)

Statement 1 is incorrect because big data is intended to complement traditional data collection methods, offering additional insights and efficiency, rather than fully replacing them across all domains. Traditional methods remain vital, particularly where big data is unavailable or unsuitable.

Statement 2 is correct as the committee actively explores modern data science methods, such as machine learning and artificial intelligence, to improve statistical analysis and derive insights from complex datasets.

Statement 3 is incorrect because the committee addresses a broad range of statistical areas, including environmental, social, and economic indicators, ensuring comprehensive and accurate reporting for global development and policy planning.

Solution: a)

• Question 4 of 5 4. Question Consider the following statements regarding the Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS): It covers all fertilizers, including urea. It aims to promote balanced use of fertilizers in agriculture. It incentivizes farmers to use nano fertilizers for higher yields. Which of the above statements are correct? a) 1, 2, and 3 b) 2 only c) 1 and 3 only d) 1 and 2 only Correct Solution: d) Statement 1 is incorrect because the NBS covers various fertilizers, including those containing nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and sulfur (S), but excludes urea, which is subsidized separately. Statement 2 is correct as the scheme aims to promote balanced nutrient application, reducing over-reliance on specific fertilizers like urea and enhancing soil health and crop productivity. Statement 3 is incorrect because the NBS does not explicitly incentivize the use of nano fertilizers, although such fertilizers align with the goal of efficiency in nutrient application. The focus remains on optimizing subsidies for conventional fertilizers containing specific nutrients. Incorrect Solution: d) Statement 1 is incorrect because the NBS covers various fertilizers, including those containing nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and sulfur (S), but excludes urea, which is subsidized separately. Statement 2 is correct as the scheme aims to promote balanced nutrient application, reducing over-reliance on specific fertilizers like urea and enhancing soil health and crop productivity. Statement 3 is incorrect because the NBS does not explicitly incentivize the use of nano fertilizers, although such fertilizers align with the goal of efficiency in nutrient application. The focus remains on optimizing subsidies for conventional fertilizers containing specific nutrients.

#### 4. Question

Consider the following statements regarding the Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS):

• It covers all fertilizers, including urea.

• It aims to promote balanced use of fertilizers in agriculture.

• It incentivizes farmers to use nano fertilizers for higher yields.

Which of the above statements are correct?

• a) 1, 2, and 3

• c) 1 and 3 only

• d) 1 and 2 only

Solution: d)

Statement 1 is incorrect because the NBS covers various fertilizers, including those containing nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and sulfur (S), but excludes urea, which is subsidized separately.

Statement 2 is correct as the scheme aims to promote balanced nutrient application, reducing over-reliance on specific fertilizers like urea and enhancing soil health and crop productivity.

Statement 3 is incorrect because the NBS does not explicitly incentivize the use of nano fertilizers, although such fertilizers align with the goal of efficiency in nutrient application. The focus remains on optimizing subsidies for conventional fertilizers containing specific nutrients.

Solution: d)

Statement 2 is correct as the scheme aims to promote balanced nutrient application, reducing over-reliance on specific fertilizers like urea and enhancing soil health and crop productivity.

• Question 5 of 5 5. Question Consider the following statements about the SEED (Scheme for Economic Empowerment of Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes) Scheme for De-notified Tribes: It is implemented by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. It exclusively focuses on housing assistance for De-notified Tribes communities. It was launched to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Criminal Tribes Act. How many of the above statements is/are correct? a) Only one b) Only two c) All three d) None Correct Solution: d) Statement 1 is incorrect because the scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, not the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. Statement 2 is also incorrect as the SEED Scheme is not limited to housing assistance. It is a multi-faceted initiative that includes components for livelihood development, education, healthcare, and housing support to uplift the Denotified Tribes (DNT), Nomadic Tribes (NT), and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (SNT). Statement 3 is incorrect because the scheme was launched in 2022 and it does not commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Criminal Tribes Act. Instead, it aims to address the historical injustices caused by this act. Incorrect Solution: d) Statement 1 is incorrect because the scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, not the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. Statement 2 is also incorrect as the SEED Scheme is not limited to housing assistance. It is a multi-faceted initiative that includes components for livelihood development, education, healthcare, and housing support to uplift the Denotified Tribes (DNT), Nomadic Tribes (NT), and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (SNT). Statement 3 is incorrect because the scheme was launched in 2022 and it does not commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Criminal Tribes Act. Instead, it aims to address the historical injustices caused by this act.

#### 5. Question

Consider the following statements about the SEED (Scheme for Economic Empowerment of Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes) Scheme for De-notified Tribes:

• It is implemented by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.

• It exclusively focuses on housing assistance for De-notified Tribes communities.

• It was launched to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Criminal Tribes Act.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

• a) Only one

• b) Only two

• c) All three

Solution: d)

Statement 1 is incorrect because the scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, not the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.

Statement 2 is also incorrect as the SEED Scheme is not limited to housing assistance. It is a multi-faceted initiative that includes components for livelihood development, education, healthcare, and housing support to uplift the Denotified Tribes (DNT), Nomadic Tribes (NT), and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (SNT).

Statement 3 is incorrect because the scheme was launched in 2022 and it does not commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Criminal Tribes Act. Instead, it aims to address the historical injustices caused by this act.

Solution: d)

Statement 1 is incorrect because the scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, not the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.

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